Jon Favreau is one of those rare filmmakers who takes his acting career as seriously as his directing career. While there are many out there who would start controlling productions and then start doing less and less performing, Favreau has managed to balance both. As a result, when stories about him pop up you have to wonder if it's going to be a movie he directs or a movie he acts in. This one is the latter.

Variety reports that Favreau has joined the cast of the comedy Identity Thief. The film, based on a script by Steve Conrad that was rewritten by Craig Mazin, the story follows a mild-mannered man whose life is slowly destroyed when his identity is stolen by a train-wreck of a woman. Jason Bateman is attached to play the lead while Melissa McCarthy is playing the titular thief. Favreau's character is Bateman's boss. Seth Gordon, who last helmed Horrible Bosses, is serving as director.

In addition to the three previously mentioned actors, Amanda Peet is signed on to play Bateman's wife, John Cho will play a rising executive who wants Bateman to join his firm, and Clark Duke as a vengeful Eagle Scout. Favreau has starred alongside Bateman previously, having been in both Couples Retreat and The Break-Up (thought they don't share a scene together, as far as I can remember).

Favreau will next be seen in Alex Kurtzman's directorial debut, People Like Us. He also served as executive producer on The Avengers, which hits theaters this Friday.